OSHA, Textile Manufacturers Form an Alliance

Aug. 13, 2002
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI) have formed a new alliance that should help reduce and prevent exposure to cotton dust, noise and the hazards of unintended release of mechanical, electrical or other energy.

"I congratulate ATMI for demonstrating their commitment to safety and health," said John Henshaw, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health. "This alliance helps demonstrate that safety and health add value to the workplace and to the individual worker, and it is an important feature in our commitment to cooperative efforts with other groups and organizations to improve workplace safety."

OSHA and ATMI have committed to work together to look for opportunities to jointly develop and disseminate information through print and electronic means, particularly their respective websites. Each party will also promote and encourage the participation of ATMI members in OSHA's cooperative programs, such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, Consultation, SHARP, and mentoring among ATMI members.

OSHA and ATMI will also recognize that ATMI's Quest for the Best Program companies have been identified by ATMI as having outstanding safety and health programs; will encourage Quest members to act as industry liaisons and resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists; will act as mentors to ATMI members; and will share information with other ATMI members on best practices of the Quest members.

A joint team of representatives from ATMI and OSHA will meet regularly to develop an action plan, identify goals and objectives and track and share information on activities and results of the alliance. Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association and the association of state Consultation Projects will be given the opportunity to participate as well.

The alliance will remain in effect for one year, with annual automatic renewals. It may be modified with the concurrence of all parties. Any signatory may withdraw for any reason with 30 days notice.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

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